Sediment Impacts from Disturbed and Undisturbed Lands

The acquisition and meaningful interpretation of sediment data from areas disturbed by land-use activities or natural processes are two of the most deficient areas of recognizing nonpoint-source pollution in the United States. The comparison of sediment data from disturbed and undisturbed areas provides a means to (1) evaluate the effects that land-use activities cause, (2) investigate the geomorphic processes that regulate the detachment and transport of sediment, and (3) develop strategies for remedial action to reduce excessive sediment discharges. This information is especially necessary to minimize sediment discharges and sorbed chemical loads from surface-mine, industrial, agricultural, and urban areas. Objectives of this project are to (1)evaluate the extent and utility of sediment data from a variety of land-use areas; (2) predict the movement of sediment from drainange basins affected by those land uses; and (3) assess existing techniques and develop new ones based on geomorphic principles and the application of statistics, geochemistry, and botany to the limited data available as aids in improving our interpretive capabilities.

Gray, J.R., Osterkamp, W.R., and Xu, J., 2003, Effects of water management on sediment transport in China's Yellow River, with comparisons from the United States: International Journal of Sediment Research, v. 18, p. 285-290.

Osterkamp, W.R., and Gray, J.R., 2003, Hazard mitigation related to water and sediment fluxes in the Yellow River Basin, China, based on comparable basins of the United States: Proceedings, International Yellow River Forum (IYRF) on River Management, Zhengzhou, China, May 12-15, 2003, Yellow River Conservancy Publishing House, v. II, p. 465-473.

Osterkamp, W.R., and Gray, J.R., 2003, A proposed international watershed research network: Proceedings, First Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds, Benson, AZ, October 28-30, 2003, p. 292-295. (on-line report in pdf format)